Customer service was beyond my expectations! They were so kind and helpful. I ordered a chicken and mushroom pasta for my daughter (who's 7yrs old) and because it was our first time eating there, I didn't know how much pepper would be on it, which was my fault. I was willing to pay for another plate of pasta for my daughter without the pepper, but they refused to let me pay and they gladly remade it for her. I truly appreciated it. You order at a kiosk and have a seat, they bring the food to you. You tip before getting your food, which to me is no biggy. You actually see the cooks making the food and they looked like they were trying their best to get it done, I can appreciate that. The food tasted so good too. I got the steak and chicken combo. I added mozzarella cheese and mushroom and it was sooooo good you guys. You definitely have to try it. I hope they open more locations! Ka Makana, maybe?!? wishful thinking read more

Pepper Lunch - Mushroom and chicken pasta, whipped cream sauce on the side - Teppanyaki Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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Food came to table very quickly. Really enjoyed the food and service. Will be back again for sure. read more

Pepper Lunch - Beef kimchi jumbo - Teppanyaki Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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Shout out to to all the social media foodies that have hyped the opening of Pepper Lunch's first Hawaii location cause I can't remember a new-to-Hawaii restaurant's anticipated opening being so fever pitched as it has been in the weeks before Pepper Lunch's December 2025 opening. Came the Monday following Pepper Lunch's opening weekend thinking surely there won't be a line out the door as I had heard over the weekend; but I grossly underestimated that assumption. There were already 20 people in line before their opening time of 11am. Hahahaha. I used to wait in line for shoes but now I guess I wait in line for Pepper Lunch. The line once they opened actually moved pretty quickly and I was inside ordering at one of the two kiosks before I knew it. Some kiosk ordering platforms can admittedly be confusing to navigate but Pepper Lunch's kiosk was actually really simple. Once finished ordering, you'll grab a numbered table marker and seat yourself at a table. It was a packed house on this day so it did make it seem like the inside was a bit small (maybe enough seating for 30 people). But it's new so the space is nicely lit, AC is cold, and the simple table fixtures make it that tables could be turned into 2 top or 4 top tables depending on party size. Of note, Pepper Lunch is cashless so bring that card that racks up points on food purchases. I decided on the popular Beef Pepper Rice (regular size) and added an egg. There's also a jumbo size option. Food came out quickly and sizzling!! The most common way that everyone eats their Pepper Lunch sets is pretty much mix everything up nicely first and then you can start eating. First bite was good! I've had Pepper Lunch in Japan a long time ago and have to say it's just as good as I remember. Too bad they're not Japan prices tho! Haha. But for around $18 I thoroughly enjoyed my Beef Pepper Rice. There's so much more on the menu that I wanna try like the Beef Aglio Olio pasta and the curry...and the fries are supposed to be good too...so I'll be back like probably tomorrow! read more

Food was very tasty and flavorful. Staff were very friendly and helpful in placing your order. We received our food and drinks in a timely manner. The interior was clean and tables were turned over quickly. The food recommendation was on point. If you are a first timer here, definitely try the beef pepper with garlic chips. You can really taste the flavors. So yummy. The next time, I would add an egg to that dish. The other dish we ordered was the kimchee beef with a side of egg. That was also very tasty. Order this is u like a little spice. We got the regular size and it was filling for us. The strawberry dragonfruit drink was a nice touch and not overly sweet. We definitely will be back again and will try the hamburger and beef curry! read more

Pepper Lunch - Beef peppers with a side of garlic chips - Teppanyaki Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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Fast, good, and efficient! Was a line but expected since a few days of opening. Went at peak time around noon. Line moved quick for the line wrapping past AT&T. Ordered the curry and steak combo was delicious the hot stone plate really adds to the experience. The sauces were good also adding a unique flavor to the dish. Definitely would come back, kinda weird sitting at the high tops facing the line of customers but everything was good! read more

Pepper Lunch - Curry hamburger combo. - Teppanyaki Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Although I was excited at first , I wasn't too sure about the wait. Excellent service and food that's on par with the Pepper Lunch I had in Japan. Stopped by the Moanalua Shopping Center location during brunch and was impressed. The food came out piping hot and fresh, with the garlic sauce adding a great kick. Service was quick, and the restaurant was clean. Sean (manager/owner) was friendly and welcoming, which made the experience even better. Definitely worth the wait, I'll be back with family and friends, hopefully to try the creamy pasta or add an egg next time. read more

Pepper Lunch - Beef Pepper - Teppanyaki Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Gf and I were looking for some place to eat and were going to go Rubys but happened to see this new place. Walked over and checked out the place. Nice crowd inside and everyone looked happy. Restaurant looked clean, well lit and had a nice vibe to it. Smelled great so we decided to try! Never heard of pepper lunch before and had no idea what it was. Menu had some descriptions and there were some pics on menu. Asked one of the workers the details on this place and they were super cheerful and helpful. We ended up getting the Kim chee beef rice and a shrimp pasta with a side of fries. The beef fried rice comes out sizzling and you need to push down the middle to get the butter onto the hot plate. Mix it all up and enjoy! I really enjoyed the flavor of this dish but as others have noted the size is a little on the smaller side but it was enough where I wasn't still hungry after Shrimp pasta came out sizzling too! And garlic smell was heavenly! The pasta portion could have been bigger but it wouldn't present as nice. There were a good amount of shrimp which is more important! Fries are a must! Better yet with the sauces on the table! They have a nice crunchy outside thanks to a light batter and the seasoning is tasty. I would definitely return and excited to try the other dishes they have. Adding this place to my eating rotation! read more

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If you haven't had the chance to try a Pepper Lunch in Japan, you've missed out on what is probably one of the best bang-for-your-buck meals. It's been one of my favorite places to grab a quick bite whenever I'm in Tokyo ever since a friend introduced it to me. I'll be the first to admit I've been dealing with some serious Japan withdrawals this year, with no trip planned thanks to being pulled in a million different directions. However, imagine my surprise when a Pepper Lunch TikTok shows up on my For You page. Here on O'ahu, no less! No, it wasn't a silly joke (like the posts that keep trying to convince the general population that Trader Joe's is finally coming here), but it actually was in the process of opening up its first location in Hawai'i. Like most new openings, I already knew I would be avoiding the initial rush and the inevitable lines. I am not much of a "wait an hour for food" person, especially when I usually only go out to eat once the hanger really starts to hit. So we waited a few weeks until my husband and friend finally convinced me to give it a shot. We arrived around 7:45 to 8:00 PM and were pleasantly surprised by the lack of a major line. There were maybe 8 to 10 parties ahead of us, mostly groups of 2 or 3, and the line moved quickly. Staff were walking the line to confirm party sizes and seating preferences, and a few lucky 2 tops snagged high-top tables and got seated early. Even so, the wait felt short and well managed, and we were inside in no time. Ordering is done through kiosks, which I personally prefer (it saves everyone from my apologetic looks when my husband inevitably adds every available add-on to his plate). Prices are definitely higher than Japan, with plates starting around $15.99 and add-ons averaging about $2.29 each, but that was expected. We all ordered the Jumbo Beef Pepper Rice plates and headed to our table. Despite it being fairly busy for a Monday night, service was impressively fast. From ordering to food hitting the table, it was maybe a 10 to 15 minute wait. The kitchen staff looked completely locked in, each person moving with purpose as if they had entered a full flow state. Servers were just as efficient, checking in regularly, refilling water, and clearing plates. Taste-wise, I had heard mixed feedback comparing it to Japan, and while it is slightly different, it was still very enjoyable. The beef was well seasoned, the rice soaked up the flavors nicely, and the vegetables added just enough balance to keep the dish from feeling too heavy. The sizzling hot plate really does the work here, letting everything continue to cook and crisp as you mix it together. The sauces are a big part of the experience and make the meal feel customizable, depending on how savory or rich you want it to be. The real highlight, though, was the manager (who we later learned was also the owner, Sean!) He greeted guests with such enthusiasm, checked in throughout the meal, and made a point to see how everyone's experience was, even as people were heading out. That level of care really stood out, especially on a busy night. We'll definitely be back - I still need to try the curries and pasta next. read more

Pepper Lunch - Beef Pepper Rice Jumbo with egg, corn, and cheese added on. - Teppanyaki Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Had to try this place out, when we arrived my wife and I were surprised to see how long the line was, yet our wait time went by quick. We got to meet the owner who was very friendly and provided us with some recommendations from their menu. The food came out fast and I must say it was tasty indeed. I ordered the beef pepper rice jumbo with a side of teriyaki sauce and my wife ordered the Kimchee beef pepper rice. Both were delicious! All of the workers we encountered were friendly and routinely checked up on us to see if we were okay . We will be back for sure! read more

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Pepper Lunch is finally in Hawaii! The last time that I had a meal from Pepper Lunch was around 9 years ago in the Philippines, and it still tastes the same as I remember. I ordered the (classic) beef pepper rice, jumbo size. It doesn't seem like a lot when you look at it at first but you'll realize how much meat you have once you mix it. Rice-to-meat ratio was good, and you can mix in a sauce of your choice (Honey Brown or Garlic Soy, or maybe both!). Chicken was crunchy and flavorful, it was a nice appetizer. We went there on their second day of opening, and ordering was via kiosk only. Staff were friendly, helpful and knowledgeable about the menu. The atmosphere was nice and inviting. Will definitely come back to try the other items! read more

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So exited for my favorite restaurant to finally open in Hawaii. I came on the second day of opening and I was first in line since I misread the opening time. The workers were amazing to greet us and help us order on the computer kiosk or the human checkout stand. Once ai was seated got water and my food came out within 5 minutes or less. Once I got my food, they helped me mix it. It was so yummy tasting. There are many tables to sit inside since this isn't really a to go restaurant. Will have to come back since the curry was out today. read more

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We came around 5pm so it wasn't too busy. We got seated very fast. Ordering is super simple, easy and fast! Food was awesome! We got the beef sizzling curry. I added cheese and mushrooms which was the best decision I've made in a long time. I was surprised there was onions at the bottom and it was delicious! The whole plate was delicious! Above all, the owner and staff were all very friendly and amazing. This is what makes someone want to come back again and we are definitely going to be back. read more

Pepper Lunch - Beef sizzling curry with cheese and mushrooms - Teppanyaki Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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5 Stars -- Sizzling, Comfort-Food Perfection I came in right at opening and left very impressed. Pictured are the Kimchi Beef Bowl and the Regular Beef Bowl, both with egg added -- and they were absolute showstoppers. Served piping hot in a cast-iron skillet, the aroma hits you before the plate even lands. Thinly sliced beef is cooked beautifully soft and tender, practically melting into the rice. The rice itself deserves praise -- fluffy, perfectly cooked, and seasoned just enough to soak up everything happening in the skillet. The raw egg slowly cooks as you mix it in, turning glossy and rich, binding the beef and rice together into pure comfort. Add in sweet corn, fresh green onions, cracked black pepper, and seasoning, and every bite feels intentional. The kimchi bowl brings that punchy, fermented tang that cuts through the richness, while the regular beef bowl is clean, savory, and lets the quality of the meat shine. Pro tip: mix everything immediately while the skillet is still hot -- that's when the magic happens. One honest note: the bowls lean simple on their own, but the sauces are key. Once added, the flavors level up fast. Next time, I'm absolutely going in with teriyaki from the start. Beyond the food, the experience was solid all around. No wait at opening, a very clean and modern space, and genuinely friendly staff. Everything felt fresh, high-quality, and well-executed. I'll 100% be back -- and next visit, I'm trying the pasta and experimenting with more sauce combos. This is crave-worthy comfort food done right. read more

Pepper Lunch - Kimchi beef bowl - Teppanyaki Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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Food, service , everything delicious! The Girls who brought water and food at the table are attentive & pretty. Menu has a wide range of varieties. First time here, the line outside was constant flow but we got greeted & seated right away! read more

Pepper Lunch - Photo while waiting for the delicious pasta to cool down a bit - Teppanyaki Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Wait this place is called Pepper Lunch?! I thought it was Pepper Heaven. Because that's where I found myself upon trying the delicious food here, in the best way. My husband and I have been excited to try the food and man it did not disappoint! We were in love with our meals. We stopped in on a Wednesday and it's always best to come before the dinner rush starts. We were here at 4 pm and there was no line. The service was quick and you input your order on the kiosk and the dish combo comes to you sizzling. I haven't been this excited about a new restaurant in a long time and the food is so amazing. We love the Salmon & Beef combo with egg and mushroom add ons. We loved it so much that we came again on the weekend. Twice in one week? Maybe a little excessive but just come and check it out and see for yourself! We will make sure to return many more times to try the various combos offered especially their premium combos. My new favorite restaurant read more

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Awesome staff. Fast service. It's not as good as the one in Japan. Definitely better than the one in Southern California. read more

Pepper Lunch - Steak - Teppanyaki Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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Stopped by and the place was super crowded with a huge line out the door. Probably due to the dinner rush and bc of all the promotion on social media. Staff were super friendly and nice though, my friend was getting really hungry and tired so a waitress came and got her some water while we were ordering. It was a little inefficient and definitely not laid out to handle the crowds--service was really patient despite the busyness tho so props to those employees. I think I'll wait for the hype to die down a little before I come back. The food was pretty good! We got a beef rice, chicken rice and shrimp/salmon rice. It comes on a sizzling platter and you smash the rice and spread it around the platter to get some nice crispy edges (if you can be patient.) Careful not to burn your mouth, I definitely did on my first bite. And also if you get the shrimps, make sure to eat those quickly so they don't overcook, but the garlic rice with the shrimp was probably the best combo of our plates. My beef plate was pretty good after adding some of the "sweet brown" sauce from the table. Personally I thought the chicken was dry...it was well seasoned chicken breast but overcooked from the start imo, but my fiance still liked it? After tax and tip it came out to about $77 for 3 plates and a drink, which we found out was refillable! Imo its a fun experience and would recommend trying at least once, but its pretty similar to my home cooking so I might only come back to check out a pasta or something. read more

Pepper Lunch - Menu - Teppanyaki Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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Food, service. First time experience for us. Would recommend to anyone considering going to try out restaurant. read more

I recently went to Japan and wanted to try Pepper Lunch there. It's the same as here. It was crowded so we opted to have ramen in Japan instead that day. Now that it's here I got the chance to finally try it. Same thing as in Japan... crowded. The girl who seated us was really nice and helpful. My biggest mistake was to not get her name as she should be credited with making my first experience a good one. If you've never been there yet they have an ordering kiosk. This was new to me. After pushing the touch screen a few times. Ok a lot of times. Lol finally got to navigate through it. Then it was kinda easy. I ordered the hamburg steak which I thought would be like hamburger steak but it's not. Well kinda sorta. It's not served with brown gravy. When my other two friends got their meal (vegetarian and the other was curry Hamburg) when they poured the curry it was cool. Upon the curry hitting the sizling platter it smokes up and smelled wonderful. Unfortunately I didn't have the same experience since I had to wait for the curry sauce. Yeah there was some smoke but not the effect that the other two meals had. We also tried the yuzu cheesecake and the flour less chocolate torte. Both were really good but I like the yuzu cheesecake better. Fountain drinks are free refill. The staff there was very attentive especially the girl who seated us. She was the best. Sorry if there are any typos or my pidgin. I'd say give it a try and just get the curry Hamburg. Don't be like me and order the curry sauce on the side. It was $4. That's a bit much in my humble opinion. read more

I have only seen Pepper Lunch in Japan and was super excited to know it's here in Hawaii. We took a chance and came in 10 minutes before closing and they didn't turn us away! That in itself was awesome! Ordered, and food came out quick and great quality, just how I remember it in Japan: The workers didn't rush us at all and were super nice! The food was also amazing and tasted Great Be sure to check them out! read more

I love that the food comes piping or sizzling hot. The service is fast and the staff is friendly. They are very busy and usually has a line waiting outside. read more

Pepper Lunch - Salmon and mushrooms pasta - Teppanyaki Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Very cool concept! I had the Shrimp and Salmon rice combo on a sizzling plate, and the salmon cooked while I mixed it together. You have to also add the seasoning yourself, but was filling and good. Some friends had the pasta which they liked.. Service was friendly and quick! read more

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Food portion was big definitely go hungry and I love that you can choose what you want in the bowls. Fast service atmosphere was great very clean and organized. I would recommend to others. They also have a kids menu which is a plus. read more

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It was my first time at pepper lunch and it was a very awsome and convenient experience. You can order at the kiosk or at the counter. The kiosk provides you with all the options that you can partake in as well as any additional ingredients you want to add to your dish. The ambiance was pretty nice, it was a small resturant but because of how fast the food comes out, people will usually eat quickly and should have a opportunity to find a seat. I ordered a jumbo beef pepper lunch with some added mushrooms. The dish came out pretty quickly and mixing the dish and its ingredients is pretty straightforward. On the table there are additional sauces and seasonings to add to you liking. I preferred the soy garlic sauce. Overall it was a nice and fast first time experience. It took probably around 30 to 40 minutes all together from ordering to finishing my meal. Definitely would come again to try their other offerings. read more

Pepper Lunch - Jumbo beef pepper rice with mushrooms - Teppanyaki Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

I really wanted to love this place as everyone is talking about it and there are long lines outside. We finally went on a saturday around 6:30 pm. Short wait to order food. I ordered the Teriyaki beef since it has vegetables. I didn't realize it didn't have any rice. It was terrible. Small portion and the green beans and carrots were the kind that's in the frozen bag. They were still cold and limp and partially frozen and soggy. Gross. I will never order that again. My husband got the salmon and beef pepper rice and his looked good. A little small so I suggest you order extra meat. I will try that next time. read more

Pepper Lunch - Teriyaki beef with frozen veggies and no rice - Teppanyaki Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

The food is good - very well balanced. The servers are attentive and kind as well. They've streamlined things so you get your food quickly even if it's busy. The restaurant and bathroom areas are quite clean too! read more

Very, very fast service! The food was brought to our table less than 5 minutes after we ordered. The meat quality is decent for the price and the option to completely customize any dish is great for picky eaters/people with dietary restrictions. We've already been here twice and can't wait to go back and try different things on the menu. read more

Pepper Lunch - Pepper beef curry - Teppanyaki Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Wait time is okay, only like maybe 10 for a busy day. We go inside when our table is still dirty, and the waitress tells us they're gonna clean it. It was not cleaned, so we're standing on the side while everyone's trying to squeeze through. The place is very small. The waitress is trying to make sure to catch the crumbs but a lot of it falls on the chair. Our food comes and it's missing some things that we have to verbally ask for. The food was overhyped. There was no taste in just the normal beef bowl. I got the teriyaki sauce and it tasted like brown sugar with a hint of shoyu. Very very sweet. There was a lot of small gnats inside the building as well. I killed four and three landed on our food. At the end, it was an okay experience. We had two jumbo beef bowls and a curry beef bowl. The sweet potato fries were great. The onion rings had no taste. Side note: one of our peeps had a sore stomach afterwards. Don't know if it's because of the food or something else. But yeah. Not worth it. The extras; like extra corn, green onions, etc. are $3+ and it looks no different than a normal portion. read more

I have eaten at Pepper Lunch about 6 times since they first opened always a great meal. THEY ROCK read more

The food is delicious and consistent every time we come here. I always order the pepper steak and get teriyaki sauce added on, makes a delicious combo. Even for as busy as they always get, they are fast and always are friendly. I highly recommend trying this place out! This is our go to for lunch. read more

Pepper Lunch - Beef pepper lunch w extra corn - Teppanyaki Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

My son and his wife invited me for lunch at this new restaurant called Pepper Lunch at the Moanalua Shopping Center. The Parking at this shopping center at lunch can be very challenging, but I managed to find a stall though I had a bit of a walk. There was a short line out the door and someone will ask you "how many in your party." When you get inside the door a table has already been selected for you so that after you reach the counter and order a table will be ready for you immediately. The food comes to your table really fast and still sizzling. I had the beef pepper with Kim chi and, surprisingly, there was cheese on top which melted and sizzled on the pan. It will give your food a nice extra crunch. My rice dish was extra spicy though I don't know if it was the Kim Chee or the Koo Choo Jang sauce. I like spicy so I was ok with it. My daughter in-law enjoyed her salmon and beef combo as did my son with his dish. My lunch was about $16 and it was one of the cheaper dishes offered here. We all agreed that we would return, I want to try their sizzling curry dishes. read more

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I had the Pepper special with Beef and a heaping scoop of rice/corn. It was delicious but you need to watch the video of how to eat it otherwise you'll get the same experience. I like my food hot so this was perfect for me. It comes on a heated cast iron plate and is cooking at your table. When the meat is done to your likeness, you mix the rice, kernel corn, that glob of flavor in the middle the rice and combine it altogether. They also have two sauces on the side for dipping your meat. Try it and you won't regret it. read more

We waited in a long line, expecting that the food or service would make it worth it. Unfortunately, the experience took a turn the moment we walked through the door. Instead of a welcoming atmosphere, we were met with rude and dismissive behavior from the staff. After patiently waiting, you'd hope for at least basic courtesy. A simple greeting or friendly tone would have gone a long way, but the interaction felt cold and unprofessional. Customer service sets the tone for the entire dining experience, and sadly, this one started off on the wrong foot. I hope management addresses this, because no guest should feel unwelcome after already investing their time waiting read more

Food is good. Szzzzzzillin' to your table. Order from a kiosk and take a seat. They bring your order out to you. It's new so it gets busy during lunch and dinner. Their drinks are also delicious read more

Cool concept, friendly service! Quick turnaround! Had the Teri beef with vegetables and was satisfied! Will visit again read more

Pepper Lunch - Teri beef with rice - Teppanyaki Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

I was surprised to see they opened a Pepper Lunch here in Hawaii, conveniently located at Moanalua Shopping Center. They have a lot of options for different tastes and dietary needs, but my Wife and I decided on the classic Pepper Rice. We were greeted warmly and we ordered at the kiosk, the food arrived immediately and the staff asked if we were familiar with how to mix the rice, which is good for first-timers. Everything was authentic to the Japanese original, which makes me very happy. If you're missing the Pepper Lunch in Japan or looking for a simple but satisfying and pretty inexpensive meal, I highly recommend trying it out. read more

The staff was friendly and they played Japanese music which was neat. The food was fine, got the big meat plate. Compared to Japan the flavor felt lighter (weird considering american food usually has a stronger taste). I also used the sauce there and it was also very light. I had to use quite a bit and the flavor didn't change much. All in all okay though 25 bucks and I didn't even get full was kind of disappointing. read more

Pepper Lunch - Teppanyaki Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Interesting Points: - This place is popular so there so there will be a line. Lot's of open parking - You'll be tipping first before you eat. - The salt shaker comes out of the other end. - Not stroller friendly... tight walking room. - Restroom inside restaurant. Clean and has a changing table. But you can't tell if someone is in there until you touch the door knob and try to turn it. How it works... Order at the kiosk and take a number for your table. When you get your food start mixing to cook your meat. Remarks: If I had to order this again I would have gotten the jumbo pepper rice instead of the shrimp pasta cause the portion side felt small. The pasta was a little salty. Stingy with napkin... I only had one that came with my utensils. Food: 3/5 | Service: 5/5 | Atmosphere: 4/5 Group size 1 person, 2 people, 3-4 people Wait time 30-60 min read more

Not worth it to come here. The waitress was rude when I asked for more dressing and the little bit of steak was all fat. Would give a zero if I could. read more

Pepper Lunch - This is what you get for $20.00. Mind you half of this steak was fat - Teppanyaki Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Food was good. Portion really small. I think I had 4 or 5 pieces of tofu that was 1in x 1/2 in and maybe a 1/4 in thick? 2 green beans 2 small carrot slices a few mushrooms, some corn and kimchee. It was pretty spicy. Service was quick. But they forgot my fries. Had to wave down someone to ask about it. Will probably just eat at the one in Vegas. Although they're not as nice and friendly there, the prices and portions are so much better. Will go back to this one when I'm craving it and can't wait for my next Vegas trip. read more

Pepper Lunch - Kimchee tofu and veggies - Teppanyaki Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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